Humanitarian Groups Forge Medical Supply Pipeline for AIDS Patients in South Africa

The Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa, in collaboration with Direct Relief International, is launching a supply chain program to get hospice and palliative care supplies to HIV/AIDS patients in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This program will bring necessary provisions such as antibiotics, ointments, bandages and gloves to care providers desperately in need of materials.

Every day, 6,500 people die from HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa — many without basic supplies that would bring much comfort. This is the first time hospices affiliated with this program will receive a substantial ongoing supply of needed medical products.

Direct Relief will procure medical supplies identified by the hospice professionals affiliated with FHSSA’s African partnering initiative. Direct Relief will control the supplies through the shipping, import/customs clearance, warehousing, and dispensing stages until the hospice program takes possession of the supplies. FHSSA will serve as the communication and coordinating contact with hospice and palliative care networks in Africa and will troubleshoot implementation issues.

“The lack of resources is a significant challenge for hospices serving people living with HIV/AIDS,” stated FHSSA Executive Director Phil Di Sorbo. “By ensuring that basic medical supplies are available on an ongoing basis, hospices can utilize resources more efficiently and increase the number of patients they are able to serve.”

The African Palliative Care Association will assist with the rollout of the supply chain beyond South Africa, where Direct Relief has just completed a demonstration program with seven hospices in the Eastern Cape.

This agreement advances FHSSA’s vision of granting each person suffering from HIV/AIDS or other terminal illness access to palliative care, including the medical supplies that aid in comfort.

The project idea originated with Sandy Knox-Johnson, who serves on the Board of FHSSA partner Hospice Care of Nantucket, Inc. and on the International Program Sub-Committee of Direct Relief’s Board.

Direct Relief International works to improve the quality of life for people in need by providing essential material resources to locally-run health programs in poor areas around the world and during times of disaster.

FHSSA’s mission is to support organizations in their development and provision of hospice and palliative care initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Learn more about FHSSA, www.fhssa.org and Direct Relief International, www.directrelief.org.